SIXTY-SIX SET FOR 2017 HI-TEC OILS BATHURST 6 HOUR

HISTORY will be created at Mount Panorama this Easter should a majority of the cars entered in the 2017 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour start the Race.

After an outstanding response from competitors, 66 entries were received and approved by the closing date last Friday (February 10) – meaning that should a majority of those entered take to the iconic Mount Panorama grid on Easter Sunday, it will set a record for the largest field to start an endurance race at the iconic circuit.

Several additional entry forms have been received by organisers however, as their entry fee has not been paid, have not been included on the official entry list. Friday, 17 March is the final cut-off for those competitors to secure their place on this year’s grid.

The 66-car entry list is spread throughout 7 classes, with the class A1 (Extreme Performance / Forced Induction) category the most numerous at 22 cars.

Several new cars will join the existing fight between Mitsubishi, Subaru and Mercedes-AMG, with two Ford Focus RS entries and a brand-new BMW M4 entered by Production Car series champions Sherrin Racing joining the diverse outright fight.

The 14 entries in Class D include two class E entries that will be amalgamated into the higher category, with three cars the minimum for a stand-alone class.

The bumper Bathurst grid represents a significant increase from the 50-car field that took the start in the first Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, held last year and won by the BMW 335i of Nathan Morcom and Chaz Mostert.

“Whilst we would be delighted to set a record grid for an endurance race at Mount Panorama, the massive growth of the field is the most pleasing aspect,” Event Director James O’Brien said.

“The reaction from Production Car competitors has been outstanding – they have quickly embraced this chance to compete for their own Bathurst victory.”

Across 75 500km, 1000km, six-hour, 12-hour or 24-hour races held at Mount Panorama since 1963, records indicate that 63 cars are the most to actually start a race.

That record grid was recorded three times: first in the 1969 Hardie Ferodo 500, then in the 1978 Hardie Ferodo 1000 and finally in the 1984 James Hardie 1000.

14 major endurance races have seen starting grids of 60 or more cars in the history of Mount Panorama.

Larger fields have attempted to qualify or start the race – 70 cars attempting to qualify for the 1971 Hardie Ferodo 500, through only 61 of them made the actual race start. 67 cars attempted to compete in both 1970 and 1976, though both years saw 60 cars take the starter.

66 cars, the same as this year’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour entry, assembled at Mount Panorama in 1966 however 60 managed to make the start.